Reborn Dolls: Dolls To Look Like A Person

Doll lovers and collectors alike have recently been looking for a doll that appears to more closely resemble an actual young human. In fact, a new market that calls for the making of “reborn” dolls has become quite popular for those who like to acquire different types of dolls. Most seasoned doll collectors have become bored with the dolls that are usually sold in stores. It’s these people that are now embracing the artistic endeavor of producing dolls that could be mistaken for humans (or almost!)

In recent years the reborn dolls market has really taken off because of the expanding use of techniques that make the dolls more life-like. The popularity of the berenguer and preemie dolls that have been around for a long time seems to be driving the reborn doll craze. The berenguer and preemie dolls are very realistic in size and appearance.

Often, reborn dolls are created using a specific process that works to strip the doll of its artificial appearance and trappings to create a more realistic looking and feeling model. The process usually starts with the disassembly of the doll and the removal of the paint that was applied at the production facility. This stripping of the paint off leaves a plastic shell that can then be altered as needed.

When you are working to create a reborn doll, you will need to add a purple color to the inside of the head, arms, and legs, so that you can start to achieve a realistic baby skin color. You will then paint the outside of these pieces with several different skin tone paints and colors, adding real skin color, and then to bring the doll a lifelike look, you will use other tones and techniques, creating skin lines, blemishes, and other effects.

From here, hair and eyelashes are added to the doll using real human hair or soft, humanlike mohawk faux fair, allowing the reborn dolls to have human characteristics. This process often is done by hand and by strand, which can take dozens of hours. Once this is completed, the doll is reassembled with a softer filling and underbelly, and then may have other additions made to create an even more lifelike appearance, such as a breathing or heartbeat sound box to create a realistic appearance of living.

For individuals who wish to make their own, and for those individuals wishing to put in less work, there are reborn doll collections available that able the customer to create their own reborn doll without putting in as much work. A lot of people are willing to dish out their money (paying as high as a few hundred dollars) to buy one. Newborn mothers have come to be one of the most popular receivers of these gifts, frequently imitating the condition of their children after birth, to have as a keepsake.

Creating more realistic child dolls is an increasingly growing trend among collectors and hobbyists. The term given to this is creating reborn dolls. The Berenguer and preemie dolls that have sold for years can be credited partially for the reborn craze, as they began the trend of lifelike qualities and expressions. For individuals who wish to make their own dolls, reborn doll kits are available. A lot of people are willing to pay as much a several hundred dollars to buy one. Newborn mothers have come to be one of the most popular receivers of these gifts, frequently imitating the condition of their children after birth, as a keepsake.

- Tommy Thompson